Interpreting the Diachronic Past: Time and the Archaeological Record in the Presentation of Mediterranean World Heritage Sites

ABSTRACT

Archaeological sites constitute ideal locations for visitors to get in touch with the past, although their fragmentary nature can pose multiple challenges regarding their understanding. In this paper, the diachrony of the archaeological record is argued to be a handicap in the public interpretation of sites. Several temporal features of the archaeological record are discussed from a theoretical point of view, as well as their implications for the presentation of archaeological sites to non-expert audiences. The article also aims to explore how diachrony is conveyed in predominantly sun-and-beach touristic contexts. For this purpose, the interpretive exhibits of seven UNESCO heritage sites from Malta, Sardinia, Ibiza and Minorca are analysed. Finally, some conclusions are drawn regarding good practices on presentation and comprehension of archaeological sites.

KEYWORDS:

• Diachrony
• archaeological sites
• heritage interpretation
• world heritage
• Mediterranean

Note

The term nomad museography refers to presentation strategies that are not static, but rather can move along with the visitor(s). Such is the case of smartphone apps like the one available in the Tarxien Temples.

Acknowledgments

First, I would like to thank Dr. Manuel Calvo for his guidance and supervision. I would also like to thank David Javaloyas and Dr. Reuben Grima for their helpful comments and ideas, and Alejandra Galmés for the map. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the staff of all the sites I visited, and particularly Katya Stroud from Heritage Malta, Maria Bofill from the Puig des Molins museum, as well as Quim Pons and Amalia Pérez-Juez from the research project at Torre d’en Galmés.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Universities under Grant Ayudas de Formación de Profesorado Universitario [FPU18/05247].

Notes on contributors

Miquel Àngel Salvà Cantarellas

Miquel Àngel Salvà Cantarellas is currently a PhD student at the University of the Balearic Islands, in the ArqueoUIB research group, exploring the presentation and management of archaeological sites in the Mediterranean context.